This was the first song written for Sound of White Noise, Anthrax's first album to feature vocalist John Bush, who replaced longtime Anthrax vocalist Joey Belladonna in 1992. Speaking to us in a 2013 interview, drummer Charlie Benante said: "That was the first song that John wrote with us. Instantly, it became such a very catchy song, and we were all really excited about that. And then what that record became after that was really exciting."

"Some people said we went a little 'grunge' on that record," he added. "But the only reason why they say that is because Dave Jerden produced it, and he did the Alice in Chains stuff. It would be really hard for us to come out and do Among the Living again with a new vocalist. I think it was a watershed moment."

Sound of White Noise debuted at # 7 on the Billboard 200, Anthrax's highest ever chart position, whilst this song's chart placing of #26 was the band's best placing on the Billboard Hot Mainstream tally.

Metallica frontman James Hetfield once referred to "Only" as his favorite Anthrax song, though according to Benante, he later changed it to their 2003 single, "Safe Home."